General Paganism » Celtic Pantheon » Irish Deities http://paganmystics.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=pantheons&action=display&thread=1109 Irish Deities Post by wren on Nov 2, 2006, 1:28pm
Below is an article that functions as a basic outline and identification chart of Gaelic pantheons and deity groups, but also includes reference to other celtic deities, adding a well-rounded approach. Also, instead of viewing deity by function or region (like Greek and Roman deities), this unknown author works via a different method. (If you wrote this and would like it credited, please me a private message.)
The Gods For our purposes here there are: 1. The Tuatha (Tuad/Tuathai) de Dannan, "People of the Goddess of the Crafts"; Tuatha De; Fir Dea; Aes Dana "The people of the Crafts" (Summer Gods). Spiritual World. 2. The Formorians; Formorach (Winter Gods). They are often the Dark aspects of the Tuatha. The Mental World. 3. Fir Bolg; The Side, "Shee", Sidhe; Sith. These are Spirits, or Fairy folk, although the term is used to describe all the Fir Side, "Men of the fairy mounds"; everything from the mere fairies to the Dei Terreni, "Gods of/From the Earth". The Sid is a Holy spot, a Fairy Hill, the "Seat" of the Side, The Otherworld. The Physical World.
The God Types are generally * People and Animal Totems Bear gods. Cult of the Head (Seat of the Soul) Anthropomorphic wooden carvings. God of the Cult of the Horned God He may be protrayed with either stag horns or goat horns, and is almost invariably portrayed sitting cross-legged, and with a Cloak pinned on left shoulder. He is the Wild Huntsman ("Horned One","Horned God" "Foundation of the World"). God of the Wild things of Nature, Lord of the Animals and of all living things. In his Darker Aspects he is the Reaper of the Dead, and a Storm God. Although there are very few examples of this, there are also Horned Goddesses. * Ancestors/Ancestral Spirits * Nature or Localized spirits/Tutelary Gods Natural/regional Sites Rivers, Lakes and Bogs. Votive offerings. Ritual Sites. Stories often told in "Dinnsenchas", the lore of places. Stone Gods Gods and Sacred sites may be represented by Crommlechs (Crom-liths), or large standing stones. Ceann Cruach ["Stonehead", "Lord of the Mound"] Crom Cruach ["Bent or Stooped Pile or Stone"; "The Crooked, or Bent Lord of the Mound"] A stone representing a bloodthirsty God or Goddess. * Tribal divinities Tuathos [Tooat-hos]; Teutates; Toutatis; Totatis; Theutatos; Tutates. The title given to the ancestral or eponymous god of each tribe, "God of the People" or the "Tribe".
These will be organized, where possible as follows: *Deity Name* [Other names, Type, Light/Dark] *"Aspect"* Most "Gods" have three aspects, one relating to magic and religion, one to "war", and one to crafts/arts/agriculture ("those who pray", "those who fight", "those who work") *Manifestations* Many Gods have other Gods that are clearly part of the same Deity, but are in some way unique. *Mortal Avatars*
In Maithreacha [In Mah-khre-yakhah], "The Mothers" A.k.a. Matrona, Madrona, "The Divine Mother", Great Mother, Earth Goddess, The Three Mothers. This is the triad of principle mother goddesses (Dana, Brighid, Macha). Symbols include flowers, cornucopia, infants, and represent Nature, Life, Healing, Fertility, and Regeneration.
Dana/Anu [Tutelary/Tuathos; Light] One of the Three Mothers; The Land Incarnate (specifically Munster); Beneficence; Consort of the All Father; Domesticity; Earth Mother; Sexuality and Fertility; Hearth & Home; Life; Love; Magic and Wisdom; Mother and Nurse of Heroes; Mother of the Gods; Prosperity and plenty; Related to local healing springs, river goddesses, wells. She is a Chief Druid, and sometimes is shown carrying a model of a house on a long pole. Aine ["Aw-ne"; Magic/Religion, ?, Light] Anu [Ana, Annan, Ano, Annis/Annis (Agnes) (Anoniredi "Chariot of Anu"); War/Sovereignty, Tutelary, Light] Befind ("White Woman") Nantosuelta [Nantosvelta, Nantosuelta, "Winding River"] portrayed with Secullos in Gaul Boanna [Boann/Buanna/Buanann/Buanu "The Lasting One", Lubachabhain [Lu-BAKH-avayn]] Lubachabhain is a title for Goddess of the Holy River (Boyne) Eriu [Tutelary/Land Incarnate; Light] Daughter of Ernmas. Wife of Mac Cuill "Hazel". The Land and the King were wed through many ceremonies. Essentually the fate of the King and the fate of the land were the same. Banbha ["Pig, Sow"; Banba, Bandha; Tutelary/Land Incarnate; Light] Daughter of Ernmas. Wife of Mac Cecht "Plough" Fodla [Fotla, Fotia; Tutelary/Land Incarnate; Light] Daughter of Ernmas. Wife of Mac Grainne "Sun" Cethlann [Ket-hul-ann; Cethlionn "Crooked Tooth", Annis; War/Sovereignty, Tutelary, Dark] Consort of Balor King of the Formorians. The darkest aspects of the Earth Mother, and the destructive power of nature, etc. Danu [Dan ("Knowledge"), Dana, Danu; Crafts/Agriculture, Tuathos, Light]
Brighid [Bridget, Brigantia, Brigindo "High One", Bride, Brid, Brig, Brigte; Breo saighead (Fiery Arrow or Power) Often called the Triple Brighid or the Triple Mother; Tutelary/Tuathos; Light] One of the Three Mothers; Goddess of Life; Goddess of the Sacred Flame. The Land Incarnate (specifically Leinster). Her shrine at Kildare is surrounded by a brushwood fence, and no men are allowed A sacred fire is guarded nightly (in turn) by 19 priestesses, and the Goddess on the 20th night. She gives an omen of the upcoming harvest on the 2d day of her Festival (16 Anacantlos). She is sometimes considered as Dana or Dona, and therefore Mother of the Gods. She is the daughter of the Daghda. The Celtic Church could not displace her, so they absorbed her as the "foster-mother" of Christ and as St. Brighid, the daughter of the Druid Dougal the Brown. Brighid [Magic/Religion, Light] Fire of the Mind; Knowledge; Wisdom; Poetry, Divine Inspiration; Healing; Brig [Magic/Religion, Dark] She emphasises the Darker aspects of Wisdom, the most terrifying aspects of Illumination, the destructiveness of technology, etc. Daughter of the Dagdha, wife of Bres. Brighid [War/Soverignity, Light] Home; Fire/the Hearth Brighid [Craft/Work, Light] Fire/Smithwork; Craftwork Brig Ambue Patroness of Jurisprudence Brig Briugu The Provider
Macha In Mor Rigan ["The Great Queen", Macha ("maax-ah"), Morrigan; Tutelary/Tuathos; Light] One of the Three Mothers; The Land Incarnate (specifically Ulster); Marries the Daghda at Samhain. Macha [Magic/Religion, Light & Dark] The later wife of the Good God, Queen of the Underworld. The "Washer at the Ford" (seem washing bloody laundry prior to battle by those destined to die). Daughter of Ernmas. Dea Domnu [Dea Domnann "Goddess of the Deep"; ?,?, Dark] The Dark Queen of the Underworld; The Earth Mother in her most horrific guise; Title of the Consort of the God of Death Macha [War/Soverignity] The personification of the Rulership of the Land, and an aspect of the "Great Mother"; Horse Goddess and therefore Goddess of the Horseman and of Cavalry; The final authority of who is King/King Maker. In her bloody aspect of War Goddess, she one of the triad of Macha, Nemhan and Badb, the heads of the slain (as the housing of their souls) are dedicated to Macha. Daughter of Ernmas. She fell at 2d Moytura at the hands of Balor. Nemhan [A.k.a. Nemen, Nemon, Nemetona "Frenzy"] Nemhan is the Frenzy of War, although some have suggested that she may also have been the guardian of Sacred places. Badb [Bav] [A.k.a. Badba ("Boiling"), Boduogenos, Bodua, Badhbh Chatha ("Raven of Battle"), Cathubodua, Cauth Bodvo] "Scald Crow" - the black birds that prophesy battles and in their swarming over the dead, they are seen as some form of Valkyrie carrying off spirits of the dead warriors. She is also the Cauldron of Rebirth, so there is some connection with childbirth. Daughter of Ernmas. A Druid. Wife of the War God, Net. Macha [Craft/Work] The later wife of the Good God, Agricultural Fertility; Earth Goddess, Mother of Heroes. Etain ["Aideen", Edain Echraidhe "Edain Horse rider", Rigatona, Riannon, Epona] Horse Goddess. Ethne Daughter of Balor, wife of Cian the son of Dian Cecht. mother of Lugh Mania, Mana, Mene, Minne
An Tri Dios/The Three Gods This is the triad of principle father gods (Dagda, Nuadhu, Ogma). Note that Any of these may be portrayed as the Horned God.hla
In Daghda In Dagda The "Good God" All Father, and King of the Gods and Spirits. Patron of the Irish and of Priests. He is portrayed as a mature, bearded with a short belted tunic, a heavy cloak and a long handled hammer (or a large club or fork) and a small pot or goblet (Bowl of Abundance, a cauldron that never lacked food). With Blazing altars, he is the God of plenty, Fertility. Guardian and King of the Underworld and of the Dead, an Otherworld of fertility and immortality. He is the Pastoral God of Nature, and Patron of Shepherds and Herdsmen. Rulers/Kings, Druids. Chief Druid. Brother of Ogma [N.b. As Secullos, he is portrayed with Nantosuelta; As Daghda, he is portrayed alone] Ruad Rofhessa "The Red Lord of All Perfect/Ancient Knowledge" Cera "Creator" Eochaidh Oll Athair "Horselike All Father" Cromm Eocha Esus [Aesus, "Lord"] Secullos/Secullus, "Good Striker" Teyrnon "Divine Lord" Fer Benn ["Horned Man"; Fer Benn Bruach, "Big-bellied Horned Man"; Fer Benn Bruach Brogaill Broumide Cerbad Caic Rolaig Builc Labair Cerrce Di Brig Oldathair Boith Athgen Mbethai Brigtere Tri Carboid Roth Rimaire Riog Scotbe Obthe Olaithbe "man-horned/pointed-big bellied- ... - ... -dismembered- excrement-warrior-belly-garrolous-from authority-all father- ... -rebirth of the world- ... -three-... - ... - ... - ... -rejection-decay"] Cernunnos [The "Horned God", Hu Gadarn (to Druids)] God of nature, virility, fertility, animals, sex, reincarnation and shamanism. God of the Underworld and Astral Planes. As the Horned God he is protrayed with a bag of Grain. Donn [Don; Donnos; May be Dan "Wisdom" God of Death, Escort of the Dead. Lord of the Dead, ruling an Otherworld where people are reincarnated into eternal bodies. Ecne "The Brown or Dark One" Tethla [Tethra, Tethre; Indech Mac Donn; Indech mac De Dommann] One of the three Kings of the Formorians, War, and is associated with Battle Crows, and the Death you fear.
Nuadhu Airgedlamh [Nuada Argetlam "Silver handed"; "Master of the Elements"] King of the Tuatha De; Sky God; War God; Storm God; Lightning Thunder, God of Healing. He may be portrayed as having a great Wheel, or be accompanied by a Dog. As a Maimed King, he is the Grail King, and Lord that must be healed to Redeem the Waste Land. Nuadha is the the Lamed King/The Maimed King and in this version, the King and his kingdom both suffer. The King is maimed and sickly and the kingdom suffers. The crops won't grow and everything is dark and gloomy. In a mythic sense, the King is the kingdom and that fact bespeaks his divine right to rule. In order to save the kingdom, the King must be healed. Balor kills Nuadhu at 2d Moytura. Nuadha Finnfail "White Light" Nuadha Necht, "Cloudmaker" Nodens Nudd/Ludd Net Formorach War God. Husband of Badb. Neit (Iberian) Neton (Aquitani) Nantos (Gaulish) Cocadius Taran Taranis ["Thunderer"; Turannos; Taranus; Taranos] Elatha [Elathla, Ealathat, Elatha, Elathlan, Ethlenn?] Over-King of the Formorians, and the King that enslaved the Tuatha de Dannan. God of the Damaging Storm. the Darkened Sky, the Chaos and Horrors of War. Tyranny and Distopic Society.
Oghma Mac Ethlenn Oghma [Ogmios; Grian-aineach ("Sun faced" or "Shining faced")] God of Poetry and Eloquence, Martial Arts and Prowess, Wisdom, Speech, Knowledge and the written word; Champion of the Gods; The Perfect Knight; Nuadhu's Champion; He is a Guide of the Dead, and is the Grail Seeker. He is portrayed as an Old Bald Man with wrinkled and sun burnt skin, and he is Herakles-like in wearing a Lion's Skin, carrying a Club & Bow, and a quiver hung from shoulder. He has great strength, and is a great warrior. He enslaves and chains people with the sound of his voice and his words. He invented the Ogham. Balor mac Buar-Ainech ["One Eye"] King of the Formorians. The Winter Sun, and the Evil Eye personified. Son of Dot, grandson of Net, King of the Hebrides. Champion. Father of Ethne, and Grandfather of Lugh.
The Divine Child [Mapannos; Maponus; Mabon "The Divine Child"; Mabon mab Modron; Mabon mab Mellt, Maponos map Matrona, "Great Youth"] Oengus Mac Oc [In Mac Og (The Young Son); Mac Ind Og (Son of the Young Ones); Aonghus, Aengus, Angus Og] Love/Eros; Growth with occasional Eclipse; Light in the Midst of Darkness; Rebirth of Life; Magic; Magical Increase; Healing; Music; Poetry and Hunting; Healing; Illuminatory; Eloquence; Trickster. Lugh "The Bright One" The Sun's fertility and healing powers; The Summer Sun (as opposed to Grain who is the incarnation of the Sun's Disk); Saviour of the people by slaying Balor, Inventor of Arts, Skills, War and Healing; Trickster. King of the Gods after Nuadha. He is the son of Cian and Ethne, grandson and slayor of Balor. Mac Ethne Lugh Lamfada "Long Handed" or "long reach" Lugh Laebach Samildanach "many skilled" Lug [Lugus] Llew Behl [Beli Mor, Belhi the Great; Belinos, Belinus, Belenos, Belenus] Bres [Eochu Breas/Eochaid Bres "The Beautiful"] The King of The Gods; The Darker aspects of Rulership and Politics; Also the God of wild, uncontrolled growth and expansion. Son of Eriu and Delbaeth mac Ogma.
Court of Nuadhu:
Abcan mac Belcamas [Abcan Mac Bicmois; Abcan mac Bicelmois] Harper whom the men of the three gods chose in the sid-mounds [The Otherworld].
Achtan Goddess of hunting and wild animals, mother of Cormac mac Art. Adraste A War goddess associated with Nuadha. Ai Poet
Aibell [Aoibhell] Beauty, Arts, Magic, Destroyer of Life, Moth and Guardian. "Beautiful"
Airmed ["Air-mit"][Airmidh] The daughter of Diancecht. A physician and the First Herbalist.
Aobh First wife of Lyr.
Bagna
Bechvilli [Be Chuille, Becuill] Witch, Sorceress. A Chief Druid.
Becuma Punished for loving Gaiar
Bodb Derg [Bobhdh Deargh "The Red", or "Red Crow"] God of Sacrifices, Later King of the Gods. Brother (or son) of Daghda. A continuous Dispute between the "Red" and the "Black" Gods. Magical knowledge.
Bresal Echarlam Mac Echach Baelthaim [Bresal Etarlam mac Echdach Baethlaim] Warrior. Hero.
Brian [Brenos, Bran] One of the Tri de Dana "three Gods of Dana" (Knowledge?); He is the son of "Tuirenn mac Ogma" (aka Delbaeth Mac Ogma and Tuirill Bicreo) and either Brighid or the Morrigan. He and his brothers murder Cian, and is in turn slain by Lugh. A Chief Druid.
Buar-Ainech Moon Personified (Unverified)
Cairbre ["Kair-pra"; Cairpre; Coirpre mac Etaine] Son of Ogma, a Bard.
Carman "Athenian" Invader with her sons Calma ("Valiant"), Dubh ("Black"), Olc ("Evil") sons of Diobhadh ("Extinction"), son of Dorchacht ("Darkness"), son of Casaoid ("Ailment"). Possibly the aspect of Dea Domnu honoring the Goddess of Battles, and the warriors who fought and died, even when they lost.
Casmael Killed by Ochtriallach son of Indech.
Cermait A son of the Daghda; Father of Mac Cecht, Mac Grainne, Mac Cuill
Chrom Dubh Dark god of cold, hunger and the night.
Cian Mac DianCech He rescued the Formorian maiden Ethne, and on her fathered Lugh. He was later killed by Brian, Iuchar, and Iucharba.
Cliodhna [Cleena] Goddess of Beauty, bringer of Blarney
Creine Cerd [Creidne "Brazier", and/or Cerd "Artificer"; Tinker and Brazier at the Court of Nuadhu. With his brother Dian Cecht, he made and fastened the Silver Hand of Nuadhu. Cerd drowned while bringing gold from Spain (or the Otherworld).
Cridenbel Bard/Lampooner
Cron Mother of Fianlach Formorach
Cui Roi Tutelary god of Kerry.
Cumhal [Kuval; Camulos] A war god.
Daelbaeth Father of Dana, Brother of Daghda, Bres, etc.
Daithe Cupbearer
Deare ?
Dermot [Diarmuit], Son of Donn. Foster son of Oengus.
Delbaeth Mac Ogma [Tuirill Bicreo; Tuirenn mac Ogma] His mother was Etan, daughter of Dian Cecht; his father was Ogma. He is the father of Bres by Eriu, as well as Brian/Bran, Iuchar, and Iucharba by the Morrigan. By Ernmas, he is the father of Fiacha, Macha, Badb, and the Morrigan. He was killed at the 1st Moytura.
Delt Cupbearer
Dian Cecht ["Swift in Power"] Physician; God of Healing. Had a healing spring. Brother of Credne Cerd. Father of sons Cethe, Cian, Cu, Octriuil, Miacha, and daughters Airmed, Etan.
Diannan Witch
Dolb Formorach smith
Dollum Cualleinech of the 3 processes/Designs Smith
Drucht Cupbearer
Dylan ail Mor ["Son of the Sea"; ail Ton "Son of the Waves"]
Echdamn One of Lugh's nine foster-fathers
Ecne ["Wisdom"] Son of Tri De Danu (Brian, Iuchair, Iucharbar)
Edleo mac Allai Killed at 1st Moytura.
Egobal ?
Elan Swanmaiden
Elatha mac Delbaith.
Elchmar ?
En Mac [Ethoman] Poet and Antiquary
Enmac Ethamain Poet and historian
Eochaid Unfriendly to Tuatha, May refer to Eochaid Mac Eirc
Eochaid Mac Eirc Firbolg. First King to sit at Tara.
Eogan the Stream Unfriendly to Tuatha
Eogan Mor Mag Nuat Nuadha's Slave
Eol Unfriendly to Tuatha
Ernmas "Iron Death". Died at 1st Moytura. Nuadhu's granddaugher, and mother of Fiacha, Bandba, Fotla, Eriu, Macha, Badb, and the Morrigan.
Eru One of Lugh's nine foster-fathers
Esras ["Outlet, Passage, Way or Opportunity"] The Wizard who taught the Tuatha de Danaan in Gorias ["Fire"]
Etan Daughter of Dian Cecht. Wife of Ogma, mother of Delbaeth.
Ethlann Parent of Ogma
Fand Wife of Manannon. Lover of Cuchulain.
Feargus Mac Eochaid Ancestor Deity? Son of Macha and Lugh???
Feidlimid One of Lugh's nine foster-fathers
Fiacha Son of Ernmas, father of Banba, Fotla, and Eriu. (*may* be a symbol for a King) Killed at 1st Moytura.
Figol mac Mamois [Figol; Findgoll] Druid/Wizard
Find the Fili [Nuahdu-Find] Poet older than the Gods.
Goibhniu [Gov-nu; "Smith"; Goibniu, Gobannos, Gofannon]. Smiths and Metalworkers, Fire, the Forge. Goibhniu [Arts/Crafts, Light] Smith Dulb [Arts/Crafts, Dark] Formorian aspect and Weapons Maker Goibhniu [Magic/Religion, Light] Healer Goibhniu [War/Sovereignty] Great Feasts
Goll
Grain [A.k.a. Grainia] The Sun Goddess.
Grannos Thermal Springs, Healing
Ibar One of Lugh's nine foster-fathers
Re: Irish Deities Post by wren on Nov 2, 2006, 1:28pm
(cont.)
Irgoll
Iuchar [Uar, Uachair] One of the Tri de Dana "three Gods of Dana" (Knowledge?); He is the son of "Tuirenn mac Ogma" (aka Delbaeth Mac Ogma and Tuirill Bicreo) and either Brighid or the Morrigan. He and his brothers murder Cian, and is in turn slain by Lugh. A Chief Druid.
Iucharba [Uachar] One of the Tri de Dana "three Gods of Dana" (Knowledge?); He is the son of "Tuirenn mac Ogma" (aka Delbaeth Mac Ogma and Tuirill Bicreo) and either Brighid or the Morrigan. He and his brothers murder Cian, and is in turn slain by Lugh. A Chief Druid.
Labraid ?
Latis Goddess of watery places, bogs and pools.
Liban Second wife of Manannon
Locennlomm mac Lommgluinigh
Loch Lethglas ['Half-green'] Formorach poet
Luchta Mac Luachade [Luchtine] Wheelwright, Craftsmen, Carpenters, Made weapons for the Battle.
Mach Armed Healing, Son of Airmidh?
Maebh Queen Mab is a faery queen in some Irish and Scots legends. It is supposed by some scholars that she has her origins in the character Queen Mebh (Maeve) of Connoght, enemy of the Cuchulain and the Heros of the Ulster or Red Branch cycle of pagan Irish Mythology. Among her more notable perfidities was the theft of the Great Brown Cow of Cualgne in the _Tain Bo Cualgne_ (sometimes translated as "The Cattle Raid of Cooley"). She is also one of the few figures that appears in both the Red Branch and the myths of the Tuatha De Danaan, in that she and her husband are asked by Oengus Mac Oc, for help in gaining the woman of his heart.
Maeltne Morbethach
Mastio A Formorian. Seamstress of Oengus Mac Oc
Mathgen [Math?; Manawythyn] Wizard, Sorceror
Medol Formorach Charioter
Medon Formorach Charioter
Miach Son of Dianchecht; Made a flesh arm for Nuadhu after his father failed - In a fit of jealousy, the father slew the son, and it was from his corpse that all healing herbs grew.
Midar ["my-tir"; Midir, Midhir, Medros] Bulls, Silent strength, Warriors. Patron of the Brehons. Foster Father of Oengis.
Minn One of Lugh's nine foster-fathers
Moccus Swine, Corn
Morb Formorach Charioter
Morfesa ["Great Wisdom"] The Wizard who taught the Tuatha de Danaan in Falias ["Stone"]
Moth Formorach Charioter
Mothach Formorach Charioter
Ochtriallach Son of the Formorach king, Indech mac de Domnann.
Octriuil Son of Dian Cecht
Omna
Palu Cat Goddess (Unverified)
Pernandios ?
Ratis Goddess of Luck
Rechtaid Finn One of Lugh's nine foster-fathers
Ruadan [Ruadhan, Rudianus] A Formorian War God, the Son of Bres and Brig. Scouts & Spies. Slain by Giobhnu while trying to steal Giobhnu's secrets, and after wounding Giobhnu.
Sab Uanchennach Son of Coirpre Colc, the son of a servant of Indech mac De Domnann.
Scathach "She Who Strikes Fear". A great sword warrior and instructor. Native to the Isle of Skye. Teacher of Cuchulain.
Scibar One of Lugh's nine foster-fathers
Semias ["Slender, Thin, Rarified like Air"] The Wizard who taught the Tuatha de Danaan in Murias ["the Sea"]Uiscias ["Water"] The Wizard who taught the Tuatha de Danaan in Findias ["White"]
Sreng Mac Sengain "Strong, son of Strength". Firbolg. Maimed Nuada at 1st Moytura.
Tae Cupbearer
Talon Cupbearer
Tarv [Tarbh, Tarvos] Bull
Tenda Formorach Charioter
Tollusdam One of Lugh's nine foster-fathers
Tres Formorach Charioter
Trog Cupbearer
Tuire Tortbullech mac Lebois
Tuirenne Son of Ogma.
Umor A Formorian
? The woman at the Unshin of orann, washing in the stream -- the Morrigan
? The daughter of Indech, son of De Domnann
(Tri God Group) [Arguably these are all the same person.] Mac Cecht "Plough" Husband of Banba "Pig" (Erin incarnate). Grandson of Daghda - Father "Cermait" Mac Grainne "Sun" Husband of Fotla (Erin incarnate) Grandson of Daghda - Father "Cermait" Mac Cuill "Hazel" Husband of Eriu (Erin incarnate) Grandson of Daghda - Father "Cermait"
(Tri God Group) [Arguably these are all the same person.] Brian [Brenos, Bran] One of the Tri de Dana "three Gods of Dana" (Knowledge?); He is the son of "Tuirenn mac Ogma" (aka Delbaeth Mac Ogma and Tuirill Bicreo) and either Brighid or the Morrigan. He and his brothers murder Cian, and is in turn slain by Lugh. A Chief Druid. Iuchar [Uar, Uachair] One of the Tri de Dana "three Gods of Dana" (Knowledge?); He is the son of "Tuirenn mac Ogma" (aka Delbaeth Mac Ogma and Tuirill Bicreo) and either Brighid or the Morrigan. He and his brothers murder Cian, and is in turn slain by Lugh. A Chief Druid. Iucharba [Uachar] One of the Tri de Dana "three Gods of Dana" (Knowledge?); He is the son of "Tuirenn mac Ogma" (aka Delbaeth Mac Ogma and Tuirill Bicreo) and either Brighid or the Morrigan. He and his brothers murder Cian, and is in turn slain by Lugh. A Chief Druid.
Children of Lyr [These appear to be a Medieval addition to the legends.] Aine Daughter of Lyr. Goddess of Love and Fertility; Insanity. Bran "The Blessed", Son of Lyr. Ravens, the Underworld. "The Blessed" [In British legend, he was one of the children of Don (Light, as opposed to Llyr's children of the dark). He was a giant and the king of all the Land. He had many treasures, among them the Cauldron of Knowledge, and a spear. His severed head was used as an oracle after his death, before it was buried under Ludgate Hill in London, or perhaps in Glastonbury.] Branwen Daughter of Lyr Epona Daughter of Lyr, Horses. Fand Wife of Manannon. Lover of Cuchulain. Gaiar Son of Manannon. Punished for loving Becuma. Mannanon Mac Lyr Son of Lyr. Not affiliated with the Tuatha De Danaan until the Middle Ages. The Sea (Originally the sea incarnate). Foster Father of Lugh. Shapeshifter and Mage. Sea God. Lord of Isle of Man as (Land of the Dead). Magician. Elected King of the Tuatha. Prophesy. Not a member of the Tuatha de Dannan. A happy-go-lucky gypsy type. Always carried "the Crane Bag", a kind of Magic "horn of plenty". He gave the last 5 Oghams to the Druids (also called the "Crane Bag"). He preferred to roam among the people in disguise and aid their exploits. He could change his shape at will. Despite his antics, he was an extremely powerful God and was usually associated with fertility, rebirth, weather, sailing and Magic. He also had a magical ship that moved without sails and was directed by the mind. Linked to the Isle of Man. Mongon "The Great Hunter" Son of Manammon? [see Oenghus] Sionna Daughter of Lyr. Goddess of the Shannon [a.k.a. Sinnead, Sinann]
Re: Irish Deities Post by admin on Nov 4, 2006, 9:31am
Interesting list Wren. In my own studies of the Irish gods I have found that to truly understand and know them as the ancesters did, one needs to completely redefine their understandings of what a god is. The celt's veiws on them are unique in many ways IMO. The ancestors and wisdom keepers...Philosophers and poets...Teachers and warriors. They are examples I think of how the Celtic path is followed for the traditionalist.Re: Irish Deities Post by wren on Nov 4, 2006, 9:42am
Onions, all, aren't they?Re: Irish Deities Post by admin on Nov 4, 2006, 9:45am
Quote:
Onions, all, aren't they?
They certainly have their layers Wren. Re: Irish Deities Post by wren on Nov 4, 2006, 10:03am
What I love about the lore is that it weaves history with mythology. These are not 'perfect' beings to which we cannot relate or ever hope to emulate. There are lessons for us in each of their stories.Re: Irish Deities Post by intorqueounus on Jul 18, 2007, 2:46am
any body else ever get lost in how many ways you can spell their names?
I did rather well this time though, I made it down to Anu or alittle farther before getting confused. Re: Irish Deities Post by evilkitty12582 on Jul 18, 2007, 4:37pm
usually a change in spelling is accompanied by a culture difference.
?
